Empowering the active participation of people with dementia and neuropsychiatric disorders in democratic dialogue and self-advocacy for promotion and protection of their rights

acaDEMia is an innovative project aiming to empower and activate people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders (MNPD), their caregivers, and the wider community in understanding, protecting, and promoting their rights, the values of the EU, gender equality, and active participation in public life and policymaking.

Objectives:

• Highlighting institutional gaps and the barriers faced by people with neuropsychiatric disorders in participating in public life, as well as violations of their rights.
• Promoting the social inclusion of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders and addressing their isolation.
• Developing self-advocacy skills among people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders to support the promotion of their rights and their participation in public life.
• Training and strengthening the role of informal caregivers and relatives of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Enhancing the role of caregivers, professionals, and volunteers in identifying rights violations and barriers to the participation of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders in public life.
• Raising awareness and educating students, teachers, and the wider community with the aim of changing attitudes and preventing stigma.
• Applying pressure on policymakers to promote the development of good practices.

Main Activities:

acaDEMia Radar: At least 50 individuals will participate in world café workshops to collect and document the experiences and barriers faced by people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders and caregivers in exercising their rights in community settings, in their participation in public life and policymaking, as well as the stereotypes that lead to discrimination and inequalities.

acaDEMia: Through a cycle of 5 workshops, 40 people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders participants will be trained on the importance of active participation in public life, decision-making and policymaking processes, and the promotion of their rights.

acaDEMia Guardians: A series of videos with informative and educational content, providing in-depth exploration of specific cases of rights violations and ways of providing support for the benefit of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders.

acaDEMi@schools: An awareness-raising and educational initiative targeting the wider community, particularly students and teachers, through intergenerational dialogue with people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders and the creation of symbols/designs that reflect EU values.

acaDEMia Voice: An advocacy campaign promoting the rights of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders and the importance of their active participation in public life and policymaking processes through short and long form videos, podcasts, and two public exhibitions.

acaDEMia Forum: Exchange of good practices, knowledge, and expertise with Oxygen for Democracy from Cyprus, and the development of a plan to create a cross-sectoral and transnational forum for the exchange of good practices and knowledge among CSOs, public authorities, people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders, and caregivers, aimed at monitoring issues related to participation and the rights of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders.

Results:

acaDEMia Radar Report: A guide to good practices for the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy, and equality through the empowerment of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders and the strengthening of their active participation in political and public life.

acaDEMia Trainer’s Guide:
A guide for people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders trainers, adult educators, and other relevant professionals, including lesson plans and implementation guidelines for delivering acaDEMia workshops to people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders.

acaDEMia Videos: A set of 10 educational videos addressing topics such as the rights of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders, potential violations of these rights, ways to advocate for them, and methods to support the participation of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders in public life.

acaDEMia Podcasts: A series of 10 podcasts featuring discussions between people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders (supported by caregivers or volunteers) and experts in the field, covering topics such as people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders rights, potential violations, ways to defend these rights, and how to support their participation in public life.

acaDEMia@schools Booklet and acaDEMia Coloring Book: A booklet featuring symbols/designs created at acaDEMi@schools, along with testimonials from participants, and a coloring book including selected symbol/design creations for coloring.

acaDEMia Forum Plan:
A plan for establishing a cross-sectoral and transnational mechanism for the exchange of good practices and knowledge among CSOs, public authorities, people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders, and caregivers, aimed at monitoring issues related to participation and the rights of people with dementia and mild neuropsychiatric disorders at national and European level.

acaDEMia Policy Brief: A targeted document summarizing the project’s findings, the emerging needs and demands, as well as proposed solutions and actions.